Pleasant for the price.
The location suited us. It is an old restored place and they seem to get a lot of working people from the shipyards, and merchant marines who stay for extended times, as well as railroad workers. It being an old building, I am sure that there must be some problems once in a while. We had no roaches show their faces and no plumbing problems.
We found our room clean and well appointed on the 4th floor. The windows are able to be opened, which we like.
The staff was pleasant and all arrangements went just fine. We really had no situation to deal with, so I can't comment on well they might handle a "situation".
They have a Starbucks coffee machine in the lobby that makes an excellent cup of coffee and is available at all hours. It if free for guests.
Since some of the marines and shipworkers come and stay for extended times,so there were some food odors in the hallways. One woman decided that she could actually smoke in the hallway if she hung out the window! She looked so pathetic, hanging out the window for her fix of nicotine. Since we were leaving, and since life is short anyway, we just decided to let it pass. But, I did detect some smoking odors. here and there in the building.
We were pleased with our stay, but I could understand why it would not suit some others.
One real criticism I have is that the bed sheets were not quality. They were cheap and thin and badly fittting on the mattress. If you are looking for that big, soft comfy bed like at the Hyatt, you will be disappointed. It was allright, but not great.
Portsmouth historic district is nice and seems relatively safe. There is not much to do right there, but we had another agenda. It is nice to walk around the restored neighborhoods and there is easy access across the river to Norfolk. It is pleasant, although it is not a very lively place.
We did not find much choose from for restaurants. A good German place across the street was good to find.
Pleasant for the price, clean with some caveats (hallway food odors and the smoker), not really great beds, great available coffee. Not the Hyatt, but not a dive, by any means. Internet access was a little slow, but sufficient for surfing.